ETHIOPIAN AIRLINES COMMENCES OPERATIONS IN KADUNA AIRPORT

The Ethiopian Airlines says it will commence flight operation at Kaduna International Airport on Wednesday, a decision which followed the closure of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, for runway repairs on March 8.

Mrs Firiehiwot Mekonnen, Traffic and Sales Manager of the airline in Abuja, who disclosed this to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday, said that the airline would start its first flight to Kaduna on a new 286 passenger capacity Boeing 787 Dream Liner, being the first international flight into and from Kaduna airport during the six weeks operation.

She said that the airline had inspected the airport and was satisfied with the infrastructure, assuring the passengers of excellent service during the period.

Mekonnen said that the Ethopian airlines, which has been the only international airline that has understood with Nigerian government, have been flying to Nigeria since independence and never suspend or reduce its flights since then.

“In this decision of closing Abuja airport, Ethiopian Airlines stands by Nigerian government so we will fly to Kaduna with daily frequency with dream liner.

“We are so far the only international airline that has understood with Nigerian government and agreed to fly Kaduna route during the six weeks closure of Abuja airport.

“Ethiopian Airline will start flight at Kaduna tomorrow with Boeing 787 Dream Liner being the first international flight into and from the airport during this operation,’’ she said.

NAN recalls that the Minister of State, Aviation, Sen. Hadi Sirika, had on Monday disclosed that Ethiopian airline was the only international airline that had so far agreed to fly Kaduna.

He added that the government was still talking with other foreign airlines such as Lufthansa and Turkish airlines to reconsider their earlier decision.